Treatment of unresectable pancreatic carcinoma by intraluminal brachytherapy in the duct of Wirsung.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Our aim was to evaluate the feasibility and clinical outcome of intraluminal brachytherapy (ILBT) in the duct of Wirsung in patients with unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Nine patients (eight men, one woman; mean age 72.4 +/- 9.1, range 52 - 80) with unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma of the head or body underwent ERCP for biliary and/or pancreatic stent placement and placement of a nasopancreatic drain with/without nasobiliary drain. The ILBT dose administered was 30 - 50 Gy calculated at 1 cm from the iridium-192 wire axis. Seven patients received ILBT from the duct of Wirsung whereas two patients received dual-duct ILBT (duct of Wirsung and the common bile duct). Three patients received combined-modality treatment (ILBT with external beam radiotherapy and 5-fluorouracil). The patients were prospectively followed up.

RESULTS

No endoscopy-related complications occurred. No radiation-related toxicity occurred in patients treated with ILBT alone. One patient undergoing combined-modality treatment developed gastric bleeding. Intraluminal source dislodgement occurred in three patients. Obvious tumor mass reduction of greater than 50 % was seen in three patients at 8 weeks after brachytherapy. Median survival was 11 months (range 6 - 37 months) and the 1-year and 3-year actuarial survival rates were 44 % and 15 %, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Intraluminal brachytherapy in the duct of Wirsung in patients with unresectable pancreatic carcinoma is safe and feasible. Further clinical trials are warranted.